So you want to build your first house in Clarion County. Now what?
Building your first house can be an intimidating task. It can be hard to know where to start and what questions to ask.
Here are our top hacks for getting through without losing your sanity!
Look at this beautiful view. It will only get better from here if you don’t rush the process!
Don’t skimp on hiring.
Don’t skimp on materials. Most home builders do this and then are faced with large annual costs as soon as the home is finished.
Communication is key. Be very clear about how often you want checked in with, and what your style of communication is. Don’t expect anyone to read your mind!
Picture your property in all seasons and plan ahead. Think long-term!
Make sure your contractors work well together. This one is so important!
Expect delays in today’s world. We are all facing frustrating delays on every type of material. Don’t expect that your project will be the exception, tempting as it may be.
Plan for bad weather. It’s western Pennsylvania, so bad weather is inevitable year-round.
Work with professionals instead of DIYing. It can be tempting to just rent a skid steer and go to town if you think it will save you a few bucks. However, in the long run, this can create more trouble than it’s worth. Delegating here is a good idea for your peace of mind in the long term!
Don’t postpone meetings. It’s inevitable that things will go wrong at some point; a phone call will be missed, an order will be delivered to the wrong address. In today’s world of labor shortages and supply chain disruptions, be prepared for this to happen! If you have the right contractors in place, they will be able to help you navigate the hiccup and move forward.
Know your payment schedules. Different contractors will need paid at different times depending on what materials they need to order. Stay on top of this to prevent unnecessary delays.
BONUS: Pick the right bank. If financing the project, use a bank that has some flexibility and can inspect quickly on a reasonable timeline. Pick a bank with a good local reputation.
Interested to learn more? Call us today!
